Name: BEST Korean Banana Milk Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients: 3-5 medium overripe bananas (about 7″ long, 3 for the banana milk base and optional 3 for texture); 3 2/3 cups milk (can be substituted with oat, almond, or your favorite milk choice); 1-2 tablespoons sugar (use 1 tbsp for a less sweet version or 2 tbsp for a sweeter version); 1/3 cup condensed milk; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

A refreshing, creamy beverage that perfectly balances the sweetness of ripe bananas with the richness of milk. This Korean-inspired drink is incredibly simple to make yet delivers a delightful taste experience that will transport you straight to the streets of Seoul.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Korean Banana Milk is more than just a beverage—it’s a delightful treat that’s both satisfying and versatile. You’ll love how the natural sweetness of overripe bananas blends seamlessly with milk to create a smooth, refreshing drink. It’s perfect for breakfast, as an afternoon pick-me-up, or even as a light dessert. The recipe is incredibly adaptable—you can make it as thick or thin as you prefer and adjust the sweetness to your taste. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to use up those brown bananas sitting on your counter! Whether you’re a fan of Korean cuisine or simply looking for a new way to enjoy bananas, this milk drink is sure to become a household favorite.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Overripe bananas provide the natural sweetness and distinct banana flavor that makes this drink special. The riper your bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your milk will be. Those brown-spotted bananas that might otherwise be destined for banana bread are perfect here.

Milk serves as the creamy base for this refreshing beverage. You can use whole milk for the richest taste, or substitute with oat, almond, or any other plant-based milk to create a dairy-free version without sacrificing creaminess.

Sugar enhances the natural sweetness of the bananas. The amount you need will depend on how ripe your bananas are and your personal preference. Feel free to adjust to taste.

Condensed milk adds a silky texture and rich sweetness that’s characteristic of many Asian milk-based drinks. This ingredient gives the Korean Banana Milk its distinctive creaminess and depth of flavor.

Vanilla extract is optional but adds a subtle aromatic quality that complements the banana flavor beautifully. It rounds out the flavor profile and makes the drink taste more sophisticated.

Directions

Slice 3 medium bananas and place them into a large bowl or measuring cup. If you’d like to add texture or use up additional bananas, finely cube 1-2 more bananas to add at the end.
For the banana milk base, add 2/3 cup of milk, 1-2 tablespoons of sugar, and 1/4-1/3 cup of condensed milk to the bowl with the bananas. If using, add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Use an immersion blender to blend the mixture until smooth and free of lumps. Taste and adjust sweetness as needed based on the ripeness of your bananas.
Pour the banana milk base into a large drink container. Add the remaining 3 cups of milk and stir well to combine. If you prepared the optional cubed bananas, add them now and mix gently.
For the best flavor, chill the banana milk for a few hours before serving. If you want to enjoy it immediately, serve over ice.

Blender Alternative:

Add 3 chopped bananas, all 3 2/3 cups milk, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1/3 cup condensed milk, and optional vanilla extract to a blender.
Blend until smooth.
If desired, stir in finely cubed bananas after blending for added texture.

Servings and Timing

This recipe makes approximately 6 servings of 8 ounces each. Each serving contains about 200 calories. The prep time is minimal—just 10 minutes—and there’s no cooking required. If you choose to chill the drink before serving (recommended), you’ll want to factor in a few hours of refrigeration time. However, you can also serve it immediately over ice if you’re in a hurry.

Variations

Chocolate Banana Milk: Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the banana milk base before blending for a chocolate twist.

Strawberry Banana Milk: Blend in 1 cup of fresh or frozen strawberries for a fruity variation.

Spiced Banana Milk: Add 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg for a warm, spiced flavor that’s perfect in colder months.

Coffee Banana Milk: Stir in 1-2 tablespoons of instant coffee for a caffeinated version.

Protein-Packed Version: Add 1-2 scoops of your favorite vanilla protein powder to make this a post-workout recovery drink.

Coconut Banana Milk: Replace half the milk with coconut milk for a tropical twist.

Storage/Reheating

Store any leftover Korean Banana Milk in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The natural settling of ingredients may occur, so give it a good stir before serving again. This drink is best enjoyed cold and is not intended to be reheated.

If you find the banana milk has thickened too much during storage, you can thin it with a splash of additional milk. Separation is normal, especially if you’ve included the optional banana chunks, so be sure to stir well before drinking.

Any unused condensed milk can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks, making it easy to prepare future batches of this delicious drink.

FAQs

Can I use frozen bananas for this recipe?

Yes, frozen bananas work excellently in this recipe! They create an even creamier texture, similar to a milkshake. Let them thaw slightly before blending to make the process easier, or add a bit more milk when blending frozen bananas to help with consistency.

Is there a dairy-free version of Korean Banana Milk?

Absolutely! You can substitute the regular milk with any plant-based alternative like oat, almond, soy, or coconut milk. For the condensed milk, look for coconut or other plant-based condensed milk alternatives at specialty stores or make your own by reducing plant-based milk with sugar.

My banana milk is too thick. How can I fix it?

Simply add more milk, a little at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. Keep in mind that the drink will thicken slightly when chilled, so you might want to make it a bit thinner than your ideal consistency if you plan to refrigerate it.

Can I make this recipe without condensed milk?

Yes, you can omit the condensed milk and increase the sugar to taste. The texture won’t be quite as rich, but it will still be delicious. Alternatively, you could use a bit of heavy cream plus extra sugar to approximate the richness and sweetness of condensed milk.

How ripe should my bananas be?

The riper the better! Bananas with brown spots or even mostly brown skins are perfect as they’re at their sweetest. These overripe bananas will give your drink the best flavor and may allow you to reduce the added sugar.

Can I make this recipe in advance for a party?

Yes, this is a great make-ahead beverage. Prepare it up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just give it a good stir before serving, as some settling may occur. If you’re adding the optional banana chunks, you might want to add those just before serving for the freshest texture.

My family doesn’t like banana chunks. Can I make this completely smooth?

Certainly! Simply blend all the bananas in the recipe rather than reserving some for chunks. Use the blender method for the smoothest result, making sure to blend until completely smooth.

How can I make this banana milk more nutritious?

To boost the nutritional value, consider adding a tablespoon of chia seeds or ground flaxseed. You could also incorporate a handful of spinach (the flavor is masked by the banana) or a scoop of protein powder. Using reduced-fat milk or a fortified plant-based milk can also alter the nutritional profile to suit your needs.

Can I use this banana milk in other recipes?

Absolutely! Korean Banana Milk makes a delicious base for smoothies, can be poured over cereal or oatmeal, used to make overnight oats, or even incorporated into baking recipes as a flavorful liquid ingredient. It’s also excellent frozen into popsicle molds for a refreshing treat.

What makes this banana milk “Korean”?

Korean Banana Milk (바나나 우유, banana uyu) is inspired by the popular commercial banana-flavored milk drinks in South Korea, particularly the iconic Binggrae Banana Milk in the yellow carton. The Korean version typically has a smooth, creamy texture and a sweet banana flavor. This homemade version captures those same qualities while allowing you to control the ingredients and sweetness level.

Conclusion

Korean Banana Milk is a delightful beverage that brings together the best of simplicity and flavor. This homemade version allows you to capture the essence of this popular Korean drink while controlling the ingredients and sweetness to your preference. It’s a wonderful way to use overripe bananas and creates a versatile drink that can be enjoyed on its own or incorporated into various other recipes. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Korean cuisine or simply looking for a new, refreshing beverage, this banana milk is sure to please with its creamy texture and sweet, banana flavor. Give it a try and discover why this drink has become a beloved favorite both in Korea and around the world.